Althaeinism
| Althaeinism | |
|---|---|
| Альтаэинизм | |
 | |
| Type | Universal religion |
| Classification | Althaeic |
| Scripture | Сьвѩта Доктрына, or the Holy Doctrine |
| Theology | Monotheistic |
| Region | Mykalimonia |
| Language | Althaeic |
| Headquarters | Alysthenes, Alioth, Hyelaistos |
| Territory | Althaendom |
| Founder | Mykalis Althaea, according to sacred tradition |
| Origin | 1st century EM Soncetopilay, Empire of Peraro Krotoik |
| Members | c. 12.4 million]] (referred to as Althaeists) |
Althaeinism is a monotheistic religion primarily based on the life and teachings of Mykalis Althaea. It is the largest religion in Kalavik, with roughly 12.4 million followers. Its adherents, known as Althaeists, make up almost the entirety of Mykalimonia. Althaeists believe that Mykalis is a mortal copy of the divine Mykalis, whose arrival as the Savior was prophesied in the Ancient Juliaen "Ancient Doctrine" (Language:Сьвѩта Доктрына, romanized: Antyczna doktryna) and chronicled in the "Modern Doctrine" (Language: Новочэсна доктрына, romanized: Nowoczesna doktryna).
Althaeinism commonly holds Mykalis as the Daughter of the Divine, who ministered, suffered, and died on a stake, but departed from her body for the liberation of humankind; and is referred to as the message. Describing Mykalis' life are the six canonical messages of Lyra, Halcyon, Leon, Daphnis, Astraia and Kallista with the Classical Testament as its respective prologue.
Althaeinism began in the early 6th century after the birth of Mykalis as its own with Juliaen influence, in the province of Soncetopilay. Facing moderate resistance from the local population, Mykalis and her apostles would attempt to evangelize the area, and ultimately resulted in the Mykalimonian Schism. After Mykalis' death, Althaeists were exiled from the lands of the Krotoik-occupied Juliae. They would eventually settle in present-day Alysthenes, which would cement a state dedicated to Mykalis, and overall one of the world's largest religions for over eight hundred years of untouched sacred traditions of what is now known as Althaeinism.
The current and only recognized branch of Althaeinism is Universal Althaeinism (Language: Унивэрсальны Альтаэинизм, romanized: Uniwersalny Altaeinizm).
Etymology
Early Althaeists before Mykalis' death were known to follow the young prophet, and were thereforee referred to as Mykalists. In the messages in Daphnis and Astraia, Mykalis is written to have explained that whoever abides in her must take on an identity that corresponds with her maiden name, Althaea. Mykalis further proclaims in scripture that after she ascends to the stars and reconnects with her divine form, that she will have the ability to enter whomever opens their hearts to her. Many Althaeists describe themselves as sons and daughters of Mykalis. Many references during the exodus from Peraro Krotoik support the use of these terms.
Beliefs
Although almost all Althaeists in Mykalimonia share much of the same convictions, there are some differences in interpretation of both Testaments and sacred traditions that the faith is based upon although it is universally taught.
Dogma
A principle or set of principles laid down by an authority as incontrovertibly true are known to be dogma. In Althaeinism a number of these began to develop shortly after the exile from Peraro Krotoik, with few becoming official per the biological descendants of Mykalis. "Mykalis is Divine", is one of the earliest recorded statements in the Covenants and continues to be used today by many adherents.
Used in liturgical and catechetical formations across the entire country of Mykalimonia, the Seuthypei Creed is the most widely used dogma. This creed was developed during the 2nd to 5th centuries. Its central docrines include those of the Duality and Mykalis' two forms; mortal and divine. Each doctrine can be traced to statements that are current with the period when Mykalis lived. Its points included:
- Belief in Mykalis the Divine Creator, Mykalis the mortal form (Both are generally referred to as one), and the Divine Aura.
- The death, and the ascension and reconnection of Mykalis
- The Divinity of the Church
- Mykalis' second divine intervention, salvation of the faithful and Divine Judgement for the unfaithful
Mykalis
The central figure of Althaeinism is the belief in Mykalis as the daughter of the Divine Mother and the Liberator. Althaeists believe that Mykalis was anointed through her birth whom was anointed by the Divine Form as the liberator of mankind and hold that Mykalis' inclusion to the world was the fulfillment of the Classical Testament. The core belief is that belief in and acceptance of the burning and ascension of Mykalis, sinful humans may be reconciled and saved from the ever-reaching abyss of The Void as Mykalis' once proclaimed, and are offered salvation and the promise of immortality, which continues after death.
There are currently some theological discussions throughout Mykalimonia that argue whether Mykalis was fully divine and fully human, or one of the two. The natural belief of Althaeists include that Mykalis is the mortal incarnation of the Divine Form, after the Mother whom conceived Mykalis, and therefore envelops being both human and divine. Mykalis, having been human, suffered the pains and temptations of being a mortal human, but did not sin against her Divine Form. According to the Mint Testament, as a fragment of her Divine Form, she took her mortal body, and ascended to The Stars where she is at the Palace of Her Divinity next to the Divine Mykalis and the Divine Mother, who died at the time when Mykalis died, and is waiting to be sent by the Divine Form to intervene a second time to fulfill the classical prophecy, including the ascension of the dead, the Divine Judgement, and the the final establishment of the heavenly realm.
In accordance to the canonical messages, Mykalis was born from the Divine Mother, and anointed with the Divine Aura. The latter half of Mykalis' life, and other important parts such as her birth are recorded in these messages. In contrast, her adulthood consisting of ministry, especially the time before her death is well described in the Mint Testament. Some of her ministry included: her anointment, miracles, preaching, deeds, teachings, and prophecies.
Mykalis' divine form is usually depicted as a human-fox hybrid, human favoring. During the era of the early church, the idea was tossed about and regularly argued against, as some viewed Mykalis to be only human in both forms. The leaders of the church soon passed doctrine that officially recognized Mykalis' divine form as a human-fox hybrid, after evidence pointed towards the Testaments; it is recorded that Mykalis' favorite animal was the fox.
Death and ascension
Althaeists consider the death and ascension of Mykalis to be the most important facet of their faith and the most important event in history. Among the beliefs, the death and ascension of Mykalis are two important events on which most Althaeist doctrine and theology is based. According to the Mint Covenant, Mykalis was tied to a stake, died a physical death, stopping the fire at the stake and ascended to the heavens.
The Mint Covenant describes multiple accounts of post-death appearances of Mykalis on different occasions, including "appeared to her Mother, who collapsed and died", before her ascension to heaven. Most Althaeists commemmorate Mykalis' death and ascension in all services, with special emphasis during the week that she died.
Due to the magnitude of Mykalis' death and ascension, they are considered to be the most important events in Althaeist theology. These events demonstrate that Mykalis' has power over both life and death and thus has the power and authority to give people eternal life.
Duality
Duality describes the essential doctrine of teaching that Mykalis comprises two distinct, co-existing persons: The Divine and Mortal Form, and the Divine Aura. While some adherents believe that Mykalis believe that Mykalis was divine and mortal at the same time. Others followers believe that Mykalis was only mortal, in that she was birthed by a mortal mother, and their mortal forms, live with one another in the Palace of Her Divinity cleansed from impurities. The church teaches officially that Mykalis' mortal form is both mortal and divine at the same time.
Practices
Communal worship
Services of worship, especially in Althaeinism follow a liturgy of communal worship every eight days. There is no organized day to worship, as Althaeists believe it right for Althaeists throughout the country to commune together to worship Mykalis every day. Thus, there are no days in which Mykalis is not worshipped somewhere in the country. Other liturgical practices often occur outside this eight-day timeframe. During liturgy, instruction is given based on readings from the Testaments. Prayers of all types occur throughout the service, and take a variety of forms such as: recited, responsive, or sung. Hymns may also be sung. Liturgies may be tailored to special events, such as the birth-date of Mykalis.
Liturgical calendar
Most mainline Althaeists structure their worship around the liturgical year. This liturgical calendar divides the year into their own individual seasons, each with their theological focuses, types or modes of prayer which may be depicted by different ways of decorating churches, colors of paraments and vestments for clergy, scriptural readings, themes for preaching and even different traditions and practices often observed personally or at home.
In Althaeinism, the liturgical calendar set aside holy days of varying importance, which could include commemorating an event in the life of Mykalis, her mother, of saints and martyrs, periods of fasting, or lesser festivals commemorating saints.
Symbol
The T-shaped stake is a widely recognized symbol, as it symbolized and is a close replica of the stake used on Mykalis when she died. Most adherents practice the tradition of tracing the symbol on their chests. Though the shape was recorded, it did not appear in-use until the 11th century.
Other variants of the T-stake are used in clerical roles, up to the High Priests and Emperor themselves. The T-stake is modified by a singular horizontal bar reaching across the gap between the bottom stands and the arm boards for regular priests and heads of local churches. Two horizontal bars are modified to the same spot signifying bishops, while three bars are modified to the same spot signifying the offices of the Grand Priests and Emperors as the heads of the faith.
Sacred Anointment
Sacred Anointment is the ritual act, mostly used by diluted oil with water and fire by which a person is admitted to membership of the church. Sacred anointment affirms to the believer that it creates or strengthens a person's faith, and is linked closely to their liberation. Sacred Anointment practice sacred infant anointment usually by affusion.
Prayer
Prayer in Althaeinism is seen as a personal communication with Mykalis' Divine Form that include bowing and prostration, in varying levels that correspond to the level or seriousness of the prayer. There are three prayers each day that are considered obligatory. They are situated when one wakes up for the day, at midday, and before bed.
Voluntary prayers may be done at any time and is used for many circumstances, and may also adopt the positions of bowing or prostration.
Intercessory prayer is prayer offered for the benefit of other poeple. There are many of these prayers recorded in the Covenants, including prayers of the apostle Halcyon on behalf of disabled persons and by prophets of both Covenants in favor of others.
The beginning formation of the early church was in favor of the tradition of asking for the intercession of (deceased) saints. It has remained in practice ever since.
Scriptures
Althaeinism has adherents whose beliefs and scriptural interpretations may vary mininaturely. Althaeinism regards the canon, the Classical and Mint Testaments as the inspired and holy word of Mykalis. The traditional view of inspiration is that Mykalis through the Divine Aura worked through human authors so that what they produced was what Mykalis desired to communicate.
History
Early Althaeinism
Apostolic-Exodus period
Althaeinism developed during the 6th century IE as its own religious entity, with hints of Otoist influence which eventually withered away shortly after the exodus. The religion founded itself under the leadership of Mykalis and her high apostles: Lyra, Daphnis and Astraia. The early community formed itself in the early city of Alysthenes under the leadership of the apostles second generation offspring.
The exodus of Mykalimonians after their exile from Peraro Krotoik were recorded in the books of Mykalis' surviving apostles, and recorded their travels and miracles until their deaths.
Seuthypei period
This period was followed by the early High Priests and bishops, whom are recorded to be the successors of Mykalis' apostles, along with her descendants themselves up until the Delegation of Seuthypes. This period also saw the formation of Althaeist apologetics among other great works focused on defending the faith by a group of high bishops. One example includes the Seuthypei Creed. Althaeists in Mykalimonia had no problem with their faith as it spread and grew amongst the new generations being birthed. However, this was not true for the people of Auraxia who had picked up the faith during the short time that the exodus had passed through. Periodical executions were carried out for present-day martyrs that attempted to spread the faith.
Spread in the Empire of Mykalimonia
Althaeinism spurted in growth while prospering under the leadership positions of the first Emperors of the Empire. As the Empire was expanding its borders almost constantly, so was the religion. It spread amongst the native regions that encompassed the lands, and evangelized many of the native tribes who resided within those regions. Religious pressure began to steadily rise in Auraxia, leading to further persecution in the country with more executions of martyrs to follow. Under Emperor Isvalan I, he saw Althaeinism to be accepted as the state religion.
Mykalimonia soon began to meet its own religious pressure from the Ok'lizuza Empire's religion of Ulcheta. A stark difference in practice caused Emperor Kyrillos to enact a ban lasting through the present day on Ulcheta being practiced. Evangelists from Auraxia also began to make trips and put spiritual pressure on the populations near its borders, which caused the Emperor to face banning another religion, and escorting such evangelists back to their home territory.
Second Seuthhypei period
This period took hold during the reign of Rigel IV whom was an avid atheist. This caused the second Delegation of Seuthypes to take place in-turn. The main points of this delegation was the coronation of Emperor whilst rejecting the religious and sacred doctrines of Althaeinism and the use of various symbols and icons such as the T-stake to honor Mykalis. Following the Delegation, it became doctrine after Rigel IV to be required to follow the religion in order to become Emperor, and the T-stake officially became the religious symbol of Althaeinism.
Alioth period
This period, lasting to-date began after the rejection of acting by divine right by Empress Maia Althaea during her coronation ceremony. This caused most of the country to express concern for the Empress with some falsely stating that it violates the Second Delegation of Seuthhypes. Soon afterwards, many of the current reigning Bishops of the Empire including the High Priests met in Alioth in 1388 to discuss the matter on whether doctrine should be passed to allow rule by divine right to be refused. This has temporarily ceased due to the outbreak of the Mykali-Auraxian War in 1389, and has yet to resume talks.
Demographics
Currently, 99% percent of the Mykalimonian population is adhering to Althaeinism. It is unsure if other states are hosting the religion in their countries, as they have not shared their demographics.